Kennywood begins 125th anniversary bash with ‘Swing into Spring’ fest
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WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. -- For the first time in decades, the Easter Bunny will hop into Kennywood Park to greet guests and grab a ride on the Jack Rabbit, as Pittsburgh's destination for thrills and entertainment opens for the 2022 season on Saturday.
Season passholders get the first chance to preview Kennywood's ongoing multi-year, multi-million dollar transformation to celebrate its 125th birthday, and all guests able to start joining in on the fun Easter Sunday. In addition to having the park to themselves on Saturday, season passholders can partake in the first of many events coming to Kennywood before anyone else: The all-new Swing into Spring festival. Happening Saturdays and Sundays through May 22, Swing into Spring allows guests to shake off those still-lingering winter blues, get back on favorite rides, feast on live local music, enjoy specialty food at locations around the Lagoon, and much more.
Kennywood's yearlong lineup of special events meshes with the park's ongoing transformation. Guests can tackle Phantom's Revenge -- nominated again as one of America's Best Roller Coasters and sporting a fresh, new petrifying purple paint job -- and enjoy a brighter, bolder walk through the park's entrance plaza and tunnel, where they will be greeted by a totally redesigned Kandy Kaleidoscope featuring favorite treats including homemade fudge. There's much more to see, as crews place finishing touches on this spring's improvements, capped off by the return of the beloved Kangaroo ride set for Memorial Day weekend.
"We can't wait to welcome guests back and swing into a new season featuring more fun than ever before," said Mark Pauls, general manager of Kennywood and Sandcastle. "Our team has been working around the clock to improve every aspect of the Kennywood experience, and make people eager to return again and again throughout 2022. Combined with the all-new event line-up and park transformation, this is the perfect time to purchase a season pass to not miss a moment of fun all year long."
Swing into Spring opens a yearlong lineup unlike anything in park history. In addition to the live music and limited-time food lineup, the festival features extra activities each weekend:
ó Saturday and Sunday: Grab a family photo with the Easter Bunny before you hop onto the Jack Rabbit;
ó April 23-24, May 7-8 and May 21-22: A custom car show cruises into Kennywood;
ó April 30, May 1 and May 14-15: Keep your eyes peeled during a park-wide scavenger hunt and make silly faces for caricature drawers, balloon artists and face painters; and
ó May 21-22: Close out the inaugural Swing into Spring with a BBQ Cook-Off!
Later this season, the Bites and Pints Food and Drink Festival and Phantom Fall Fest events return; a second all-new event, Summer's On!, debuts in July; and beloved traditions Fall Fantasy Parades and Holiday Lights bring familiar and fresh fun to Kennywood.
Gold season passes offer unlimited visits all year, free preferred parking, unlimited drink refills and other great perks. Or, upgrade to a platinum season pass and visit Kennywood, Sandcastle, and Idlewild and SoakZone all year. Also available for a limited time, Kennywood's Opening Celebration sale offers more than 45 percent off gate price when visiting any day through May 8.
For information about the 2022 season, its special events, and more, visit Kennywood.com.